Governmental Affairs

On behalf of the judicial branch, the Judicial Council's Governmental Affairs represents and advocates for the Judicial Council on legislative, policy, and budget matters. The office also works extensively on the judicial branch budget and related matters, meeting with legislators, committees, committee and leadership staff, as well as staff for the Governor and the state Department of Finance.

Court-Related Legislation

Search for active court-related legislation, view published letters and positions the Judicial Council has taken on legislation, or consult annual summaries of new laws that affect the court or are of general interest to the court community.

Liaison & Outreach Activities

Learn about governmental affairs liaison and outreach programs:

2026 Legislative Calendar

Date Legislative Deadlines
January 1 Statutes take effect (Art. IV, Sec. 8(c)).
January 5 Legislature reconvenes (J.R. 51(a)(4)).
January 10 Budget must be submitted by Governor (Art. IV, Sec. 12 (a)).
January 16 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their house in the odd-numbered year (J.R. 61(b)(1)).
January 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observed.
January 23 Last day for any committee to hear and report to the Floor bills introduced in that house in the odd-numbered year (J.R. 61(b)(2)). Last day to submit bill requests to the Office of Legislative Counsel.
January 31 Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house in the odd-numbered year (Art. IV, Sec. 10(c)), (J.R. 61(b)(3)).
February 16 Presidents’ Day observed.
February 20 Last day for bills to be introduced (J.R. 61(b)(4)), (J.R. 54(a)).
March 26 Spring Recess begins upon adjournment (J.R. 51(b)(1)).
March 30 Cesar Chavez Day observed.
April 6 Legislature reconvenes from Spring Recess (J.R. 51(b)(1)).
April 24 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61(b)(5)).
May 1 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to the Floor non-fiscal bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61(b)(6)).
May 8 Last day for policy committees to meet prior to June 1 (J.R. 61(b)(7)).
May 15 Last day for fiscal committees to hear and report to the Floor bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61 (b)(8)). Last day for fiscal committees to meet prior to June 1 (J.R. 61 (b)(9)).
May 26 Memorial Day observed.
May 26-29 Floor Session only. No committees, other than conference or Rules committees, may meet for any purpose (J.R. 61(b)(10)).
May 29 Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house (J.R. 61(b)(11)).
June 1 Committee meetings may resume (J.R. 61(b)(12)).
June 15 Budget Bill must be passed by midnight (Art. IV, Sec. 12(c)(3)).
June 25 Last day for a legislative measure to qualify for the Nov. 3 General Election ballot (Elections Code Sec. 9040).
July 2 Last day for policy committees to meet and report bills (J.R. 61(b)(13)). Summer Recess begins upon adjournment of session, provided Budget Bill has passed (J.R. 51(b)(2)).
July 3 Independence Day observed.
August 3 Legislature reconvenes from Summer Recess (J.R. 51(b)(2)).
August 14 Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills to the Floor (J.R. 61(b)(14)).
August 17-31 Floor Session only. No committee, other than conference and Rules committees, may meet for any purpose (J.R. 61(b)(15)).
August 21 Last day to amend on the Floor (J.R. 61(b)(16)).
August 31 Last day for each house to pass bills (Art. IV, Sec. 10(c)), (J.R. 61(b)(17)). Final recess begins upon adjournment. (J.R. 51(b)(3)).

View today's legislative calendar:
Assembly | Senate 

Important Dates Occurring During Final Recess

Date Legislative Deadlines
September 30, 2026 Last day for Governor to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature before Sept. 1 and in the Governor’s possession on or after Sept. 1 (Art. IV, Sec. 10(b)(2)).
January 1, 2027 Statutes take effect (Art. IV, Sec. 8(c)).
January 4, 2027 Legislature reconvenes (J.R. 51(a)(4)).

Resources